UK Horse Racing Tips: Taunton

THE DOYEN CHIEF had started to backpedal when getting rid of Tom Cannon at Lingfield's Winter Million fixture, but he was progressing nicely in novice company prior to that handicap debut and can resume his forward momentum. Classic King is actually rated 1lb higher, and chased home the exciting Queens Gamble at Kempton, but he has a subsequent costly Doncaster failure to atone for. Centara worked harder than his odds suggested he would at Taunton, but he wasn't too far behind Jeriko Du Reponet at Newbury prior to that so he has to be feared.
Prediction : 1st The Doyen Chief 2nd Centara 3rd Classic King

SECRET SQUIRREL may have lost his unbeaten record at Newbury, but he probably enhanced his reputation even further by getting to within less than two lengths of Jeriko Du Reponet. Hughie Morrison has resisted the temptation of a Cheltenham entry, but his five-year-old remains a very bright prospect. Fire Flyer also chased home a Festival fancy, when bumping into Gidleigh Park at Newbury, and he took little out of himself at Wincanton last week. Exeter scorer Moorefields is the third penalised runner in the race and rounds out the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Secret Squirrel 2nd Fire Flyer 3rd Moorefields

Rewired gets on well with Luke Scott and made a triumphant return to the fray under the claimer at Doncaster. He has a 5lb higher figure to contend with and crosses swords with an unexposed opponent in the shape of INOUI MACHIN, who bumped into a smart novice, also at Doncaster, last time and now goes handicapping off an interesting mark. Fellow handicap newcomer Beny Nahar Road could also be well treated, while the horse who beat Bold Reaction on his reappearance was then put in his place by Rewired.
Prediction : 1st Inoui Machin 2nd Rewired 3rd Beny Nahar Road

Preference is for MERRY MONTY, who shaped with significant promise on last month's fencing bow. That form has since been franked, with the winner going on to record a comfortable success next time out, so Chris Down's charge looks to hold every chance of going one better. Our Nel appeals as a likely candidate having finished a creditable third at Fakenham in December. Howyouplaythegame has shown signs of ability over the larger obstacles and the application of a first-time tongue-tie could spark some improvement.
Prediction : 1st Merry Monty 2nd Our Nel 3rd Howyouplaythegame

Second, albeit well held behind Dysart Enos in the Grade 2 mares' bumper at Aintree last season, GOLDEN ACE was able to make an immediate impact when sent over hurdles here last month. Jeremy Scott's charge must shoulder a penalty, but that might not be enough to stop her with improvement on the cards. Four-time hurdles winner Manimole might not have the same potential that some of these do, but she merits respect at this level, while Linda Moon is the most appealing of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Golden Ace 2nd Manimole 3rd Linda Moon

SURE TOUCH was a narrow winner over 2m4f at Uttoxeter shortly before Christmas and the step back up in trip could help him to defy a 2lb rise in the ratings here. Stormy Flight also won on his most recent outing and could prove to be the main threat to the selection, ahead of Quoi De Neuf and Neon Moon.
Prediction : 1st Sure Touch 2nd Stormy Flight 3rd Quoi De Neuf

Gyllen has to be of interest having racked up a hat-trick in recent months, but marginal preference is for STANLEY PINCOMBE. Chris Gordon's gelding beat a decent field at Plumpton when last seen in November and a 5lb rise for that success appears to be fair. Commanding View is another last-time-out winner to consider, while Just Go For It also makes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Stanley Pincombe 2nd Gyllen 3rd Commanding View